Enhance your knowledge with a master's degree in music composition at the University of Southampton. You’ll graduate with the skills for a career in music or further research on a PhD.
Our MMus Music Composition programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of musical composition. On this course, you’ll learn:
current trends in composition
20th and 21st century musical developments
aesthetic, technical and critical issues in modern compositional practice
in-depth analysis of your chosen compositional genres, materials, techniques and forms
Our academic staff are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, and established composers of contemporary art music, electronic music, media music (for example, in film, TV and videogames), and jazz. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in music history, culture and performance.
We offer a broad-based MMus programme with 4 specialist pathways:
On the Composition pathway, you’ll work towards the final goal of a composition portfolio. We’ll work with you to create a portfolio that’s relevant to your career aspirations. On completion of the course, you’ll be ready to:
continue your research at a doctoral level
work in the music industry or wider cultural sector
become a teacher
work as a freelance musician
You can mix your composition modules with topics from other MMus pathways to develop a wider range of skills and personalise the course to your interests.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Chiying Lam. She completed her doctoral study at the Royal College of Music, London, and her research focuses on musicians' pedagogical practice and post-colonial discourses of power & identity within the music practitioners' community.Visit Dr Chiying Lam's staff profile to learn more about her work.
For the Composition pathway, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of 2 to 4 compositions. These should total 15 to 20 minutes of music, showing your range and compositional techniques.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.
In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, designed to refine your professional writing and presentation skills, and prepare you for your final composition portfolio.
You’ll also take optional modules to personalise the course to your interests. Some of these modules are shared with our other MMus pathways.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final composition portfolio.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
We’re committed to giving you a relevant, modern and above all enjoyable experience that will ensure you graduate with the skills and understanding you need for your chosen career or further research.
The learning activities for the Composition pathway include:
tutor and student-led seminars
individual tutorials
independent research and practice
Assessment
Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll assess you through a combination of:
group and individual presentations
essays and analyses
your final composition portfolio
Dissertation
Your final composition portfolio is the main part of the Composition pathway. You’ll produce 35 minutes of compositions and a 3000-word commentary on the technical and aesthetic elements of your work.
Alternatively, you can submit a larger portfolio of 40 minutes with a 1000-word commentary.
Academic Support
You’ll have access to:
historic, modern and electric pianos
less-common orchestral and historic instruments
drum kit and basic PA system/amps
a loud rehearsal room and department practice rooms
recording studios
specialist music software
use of Turner Sims concert hall facilities for recitals
Careers
We recognise that music has increasingly become a 'portfolio career' and aim to provide our students with a platform for success in whatever area of music their aspirations lie.
A master’s degree will help you to develop the key skills that employers look for, such as:
time, deadline and project management
problem solving
teamwork, relationship-building and working independently
cultural awareness
critical thinking and research analysis
Above all, you will learn to communicate your ideas and enthusiasm to a wide range of audiences.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Southampton Humanities Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship
Twenty scholarships of £5,000 are available to international students joining our postgraduate master’s courses at the School of Humanities in September 2023.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.
There are different deadlines for this course. Depending on which country you permanently reside in, applications are expected to close:
Applicants permanently resident in China: Closed on Wednesday 29 November 2023
Applicants permanently resident in other countries: Wednesday 29 May 2024 - midday UK time
Applicants permanently resident in the UK: Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Our admissions process for this course means that we look at batches of applications together. We send offers to applicants on a continuous basis. Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to make you an offer, even if you meet the course criteria.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You may also be asked to provide:
a sample of music composition/performance
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
